Helping Writers Craft Authentic Stories With Courage: Recent Episodes
Kathleen Guire, Author
Do you want to write a nonfiction book, but you don’t feel like an expert or don’t know where to start? Maybe you’re not sure what to write about. You’re not sure what you have to say is relevant. Or you can’t seem to find the time to write. All authors struggle with what to write, time management, imposter syndrome, writing weaknesses, and limiting beliefs. But that shouldn’t stop us from writing. If you are an author or aspiring author, this podcast is for you!
Join Kathleen Guire on this coffee break podcast. Learn tips and tools plus join her for monthly author interviews!
In this episode, I share 5 ways to jump out of your writing slump - from personal experience!
If you're in a writing slump, hopefully, my suggestions will help you jump out of it. Let's face it, writing is a solitary job. We don't have people cheering us on from the sidelines. Often we are sitting in offices or on sectionals plunking away on computers at all hours of the day and no one sees the hard work. If that's you, go you. If you are on the verge of quitting because you are miles away from the end product, don't quit. If this is your first article, your first short story, your first book, or your first fill-in-the-blank, you need to finish. Once you finish, the next project will be just as much work, but you'll know exactly what to expect. Plus you'll have all the great feedback to cheer you on!
Grab a cup of coffee and join me and jump out of your slump!
If you are listening to this you probably have the desire to write a book. You may have found this podcast through a google search. Or heard about it through a friend and you wanted to see if we could help you write a book. But you’re still having some doubts. You aren’t sure if you should write a nonfiction book.
You clicked on this podcast because you’ve been thinking about writing a nonfiction book. Don’t wait any longer.
Here’s why you should write a nonfiction book:1. A book helps readers solve a problem. 2. Builds self-confidence. 3. Positions you as an expert. 4. You have a physical or digital copy of your message to share. 5. Your book will Inspire readers to move forward in their own healing journey.
Grab a cup of coffee and join me as I dig deeper into the 5 reasons you should write a nonfiction book.
I had always wanted to write a book. As I’ve mentioned before, my family is full of writers and although I assisted them in various writerly activities such as laying out articles in a newspaper, I still had no idea how to organize my own writing. Much less how to write a book.
That’s a meandering way of saying – no one told me how to write a book. Of course in this day and age whatever you need to know is on the internet, there is no excuse. But it can be overwhelming to try to find exactly what you need and spend the little writing time you have searching. That’s exactly why I’m recording – so you don’t have to cry on your first day of “writing-school” or spend your precious time trying to figure out how to write a book. Grab a cup of coffee and join me as we walk through the three phases you need to write your book!
January is Human Trafficking Awareness month with the official day being January 11th. It’s a topic that I’m passionate about shining light on – not only to raise awareness for but to prevent it in children with trauma histories. Grab a cup of coffee and join me as I share the 3 phases of human trafficking, an opportunity to grab a copy of Defining Home - a thriller human-trafficking novel, plus a harrowing personal family story.
- If you want to craft an article with a trauma-informed foundation in order to share your story.
- If you need to do some research on trauma before you write your YA/Tween/Adult novel.
- If you’re crafting your memoir and want to make sure you have the trauma-informed background to help others.
- If you have an idea for a series of articles to help others overcome the effects of trauma.
Then this is for you.
Where Can I Get A Trauma-Informed Foundation? First of all, you have your experience. What sorts of trauma have you lived through? What has trauma taught you? Have you learned new coping mechanisms? Have specific scriptures that have helped you through? Your experience – your history plus your education (what trauma taught you) are a unique combination. If you have never thought about these questions, now is the time to do it.
3 Tactics To Squash Your Inner Critic
You’ve finally owned your desire to write, and blocked off time on your calendar! You sit down at your computer and start typing away.
Then your inner critic rises up like a balrog. While I’d like to tell you to harness your inner Gandalf and say -” You shall not pass!” It’s not enough. There are strategies we must employ because just as our writing weaknesses won’t be addressed in one sitting, neither will our inner critic fall into a fiery abyss with one command (and may I point out, Gandalf went with the balrog). So let’s be like Gandalf. Go with your inner critic and see what she says. Ask yourself this question – Is it true?
Grab a cup of coffee and join me as I share 3 Tactics to Squash Your Inner Critic! Prefer to read the article? Click HERE.
In this week's episode, I interview Larry Schardt , author of My Runaway Summer - a coming-of-age and life adventure/memoir.
Larry Schardt (pronounced Shard) is on a journey of discovering and sharing the power of living a life of happiness and Success That Rocks! Larry's passion is people. He teaches at Penn State, is a motivational speaker, and a best-selling author.
His latest book, released in May is My Runaway Summer. A story about the summer of 1970, when Larry ran away from home (at the age of 15) to escape alcoholism, violence, and rage. He hitchhiked from Pittsburgh to Ocean City, New Jersey. On the road, he is conflicted about his decision - happy he escaped, yet sad his mother would worry, and terrified he would get caught and sent back home. The Jersey Shore wasn't what he expected. The story is a timeless and universal coming-of-age lesson. Larry learns the art of Peace, Love, and Forgiveness.
Step back in time and join Larry in this amazing runaway summer adventure. This spring Larry had a total of three works released. In addition to My Runaway Summer, he has a life lesson story, called "Career Magic," in Chicken Soup for the Soul: Your 10 Keys to Happiness, and a romance story, called "The Gazebo at Silver Lake," in the "Shell House" collection. Larry has 4 stories published in the "Chicken Soup for the Soul" series. He also has several stories in various anthologies. Although he doesn't consider himself a sports writer, his book, James Conner: The Triumphs of a Football Hero, was named one of the "24 Best Sports Biography Books of All Time," by CNN, Forbes, and Inc. He also co-coordinates the highly successful Mindful Writers Retreats.
Since 2015, Larry has been writing a daily Facebook blog to entertain, celebrate, share, and pay forward the good things in life. His effort to help as many people as possible starts the day on a positive note. In his writing and everyday pursuits, Larry's passion for people, positive spirit, and zest for life shine through. He loves the outdoors, walking, reading, skiing, and music that rocks . . . from classical to Rock 'n' Roll!!!
Grab a cup of coffee and listen to this fun interview with Larry Schardt!
Today, I'm sharing the last in the series - When You Want to Quit (The Messy Middle)
We need to take responsibility for our time.
When we take those blocks of time we set aside for writing and honor them, we honor our purpose.
We can't blame other people for our choices when it comes to writing.
We all have obstacles. We can falsely assume that because we are heeding our calling as a writer, everything will go smoothly. Not true.
Grab a cup of coffee and join me as I share how we can navigate the obstacles when it comes to our author journey.
Continuing my series - When You Want To Give Up (The Messy Middle)
When you are stuck in the messy middle of writing, you must make some hard decisions about what YOU CAN'T DO. And that's OKAY!
Whatever you think YOU need to be doing in your writing journey, do that.
Count the cost of writing a book. It takes time and dedication. You can do it!
Grab a cup of coffee and join me as I share some real stories from my life to encourage you!
Some days we just want to give up on writing that book. On everything actually, crawl back into bed and just sleep for a few years. I get it. I’d like to do that today.
When we first begin our author journey, it’s exciting. We own our identity as a writer. We proclaim it to the world, or at least to our family and friends. Although some of them roll their eyes, we persist.
But then we hit the messy middle and we want to give up! We lose the excitement. I get it. Grab a cup of coffee and join me as I share some tips on how to get going again.
Author Interview with Jillana Goble
Jillana Goble is a speaker, author, and advocate.
She holds a master’s degree in teaching. Together with her husband, Luke, she parents five children ranging in age from preteen to young adult. Jillana is the founder of an unprecedented initiative that has turned into a statewide movement called Every Child Oregon. In 2019, she published No Sugar-Coating, a book with practical suggestions and insight for prospective foster parents. She’s passionate about getting the faith community—as well as the community at large—to link arms with the state’s overburdened child welfare system to uplift vulnerable children in foster care and those who serve them.
Grab a cup of coffee and listen to this jam-packed interview!
Do you want to write a nonfiction book and need a jumpstart?
If you have a series of articles on your website - you've got it!
Kathleen has written two books born out of two different series of articles on her website - you can do it too!
Grab a cup of coffee and join Kathleen as she walks you through - step by step how to jumpstart writing your nonfiction book!
In this final episode of the series - You Can Write A Nonfiction Book -
You have the superpower of empathy.
You can't learn empathy in a classroom.
You can't buy empathy on Amazon or Etsy.
Knowledge doesn't create empathy.
Your experience creates empathy.
You can share the empathy in your book.
It's a gift. when you are writing a book, you're not telling the reader, in theory, you know how they feel. You can tell the reader, "You're not alone!"
You can connect on this level.
Grab a cup of coffee and join Kathleen as she shares how and why you CAN write a book right now!
If you want to write a book and that desire keeps you up at night.
Remember:
- There is no perfect time to write a book.
- If you are waiting for the stars to align, they won't.
- Or if you are waiting for God to give you a sign. Your sign is your desire.
- If you don't tell your specific individual story, people with miss out on their transformation!
- Your story is unique.
- No one can tell your story the way you can!
Grab a cup of coffee and join Kathleen as she shares how God has prepared you all along to tell your story (in the form of a book)!
Author Interview with Natalie Vecchione -
Natalie has been an FASD podcaster for almost 2 years. In October 2020, Natalie & John cofounded “FASD Hope” FASD Hope is a podcast, website, and a place for awareness, information, and inspiration for those people whose lives have been touched by FASD. The FASD Hope podcast series is through the lens of parent advocates with over 19 years of lived experience. FASD Hope Podcast is available anywhere you find podcasts.
Natalie’s new book Blazing New Homeschool Trails: Educating and Launching Teens with Developmental Disabilities by Natalie Vecchione and Cindy LaJoy is now on Amazon.
Grab a cup of coffee and join Natalie and me as we talk about her book - Blazing New Homeschool Trails: Educating and Launching Teens with Developmental Disabilities, and the publishing process!
I've been doing a little series on a new checklist that is a freebie on the website - Kathleenguireautor.com.
Today I'm talking about this point 3 on the checklist - You Have A Powerful Transformational Story to Offer!
Honestly, you know what people want to hear? They want to hear stories of transformation that the author lived. Grab a cup of coffee and join me as I share WHY you have a powerful transformational story to offer.
Do you want to write a nonfiction book?
Is Imposter Syndrome holding you back?
Today I'm talking about You CAN Write A Nonfiction Book: A 5-Step Checklist which is free on Kathleenguireauthor.com
- You are the expert on your own life!
- Did you know that experience creates experts? This is so important!
- You are an expert on the struggles you have overcome.
It's time to take your experience and expertise and write your book. Grab a cup of coffee and join me as I encourage you and list the reasons you should write your book today!
Do you want to write a nonfiction book but don’t feel like an expert? Do you feel like an imposter when you write about what you’re passionate about? Do you have a deep fear that your story isn't relevant?
I know how you feel. I felt that way before I wrote my first book. The truth is - One of the reasons aspiring authors don’t write the nonfiction book they’ve been dreaming of writing is they don’t feel as if they are an expert. Spoiler alert - you are the expert on your own life!
Grab a cup of coffee and join me on the podcast as I talk through "You Can Write A Nonfiction Book: Your 5-Step Checklist" a free pdf you can grab on Kathleenguireauthor.com.
Today we have a special guest, Sandra Flach. She is a friend of mine and an author. She has written a book called Orphans No More. Sandra has a podcast - Adoption & Foster Care Journey. Grab a cup of coffee join Sandra and me for a lively chat about her book, the writing process (including how to get started), and why we need to make writing a priority. Plus, Sandra shares about her book in a nutshell - the life-changing message of having an orphan spirit.
This week I share
3 Tips to Help You Make Writing A Priority Are you struggling with making writing a priority?
Have you owned your identity as a writer, but you're still not making writing a priority? Your why is your motivation! Don't get stuck doing the temporal things and making them your priority!
If you own your identity as a writer, then you must schedule time to write. This isn't ONLY valuing your writing, it's valuing yourself. Grab a cup of coffee and join me as I share tips on how we can make writing a priority!
Are you working on the craft of writing? There are Six Important Keys of Development For Writers to move from fear to final product (a book).
Grab a cup of coffee and join me as I continue talking about the six keys of development in your author journey:
- Plan your writing,
- Have a clear idea of what you are writing about and who you are writing to and stick to it.
- Develop a process that works for you.
- Don’t edit while you write.
- Be authentic.
- Continue to educate yourself on the craft of writing.
Writers move into the development stage when we just say, “I am a writer, I'm going to do this.”
You're moving into this action phase- action and education. You're going to educate yourself on the craft of writing. But more importantly, you're going to actually write. Because that's what writers do. Writers write. Writers don't edit, they don't revise. They're not scrolling on social media, (not until they're finished writing anyway). Writers write.
I'm going to be talking through the six keys of development. Grab a cup of coffee and join me as I share the keys of development in an author’s journey!
Darlene Larson is a passionate Life Purpose Coach® of 14 years and helps struggling women convert pain to purpose or doubting God to determination to living out their life purpose destiny. Once upon a time, she was a reluctant writer... Four books out, two pending, and another in process. BUT GOD!!! www.Heartswithapurpose.com
Grab a cup of coffee and join me for this amazing author interview with Darlene A. Larson!
Denial In Your Author Journey Part 3 and Research Practices
Have you owned your identity as a writer only to slip into a phase of denial? A crisis of belief? Like - maybe I really didn't hear that right, or maybe I'm really not supposed to write a book. Or thoughts of past rejection in your writing journey are popping up. Limiting beliefs are limiting your writing down to nothing. Don’t let denial or a crisis of belief stop you from writing. Grab a cup of coffee as I continue sharing the parable of the sower writer’s edition (and how to leave denial behind) plus some tips on research practices.
Denial in your author journey
Are you stuck in the denying that you are a writer? I've let circumstances, other people's decisions, and what other people thought of me determine whether I was a writer or not. Looking back on it, it makes no sense at all. Maybe that’s you. It's defining you, but it's also confining you. So if you want to be an author… if you want to write your book. Start taking baby steps today and leave denial behind. To help us determine what stage of denial we are in - I have crafted this little parable of the sower- the writer's edition. Grab a cup of coffee and join me for the writer’s edition of the parable and more guidance on working through the framework of your entire book.
In this week's episode, I dig into the issue of denial in our author journey. Denying our ability, talent, or calling as a writer can make us lose heart and give up. Have you denied that you are a writer? Do you listen to a voice in your head whispering, you're not good enough? So, therefore, don't even start. I share some signs that you may be at the pit stop of denial and what to do about them!
In the second part of this episode, I share how you can work through the framework for writing your nonfiction book beginning with choosing your theme! So grab a cup of coffee, a notebook, and a pen, and join me!
In this week’s episode, I interview Diane Tarantini, author of the children’s book, The Brave Knight, It’s lyrically written and beautifully illustrated (by Jessie Haring). But more importantly -The Brave Knight is a medieval tale with a message of body safety for K-8th grade. Grab a cup of coffee and listen to the ever-energetic Diane share her writing journey plus the super-important theme of the book. You can buy the book on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3q4hWMH. Or you can email Diane to purchase signed copies via PayPal: writingdianet@gmail.com. Find her at https://www.dianetarantini.com.
Hi, Kathleen Guire here. In this episode, I am talking about the desire to write. If you haven't already please go to https://kathleenguireauthor.com/ and sign up to get your free PDF of the Roadmap for Crafting Your Authentic Story With Courage so you can follow along with me. I'm delving into the question- Is you're writing as a calling and or a gift? And if it is, what does that mean for you?
Every writer's journey begins with a desire. We must do the inner work of writing before we approach the outer work -actually writing. Part of the inner work is owning your desire to write. You say - I am a writer! In this episode, I cover the five phases of owning your desire to write. Join me as we work through the Roadmap for Crafting Your Authentic Story With Courage. Grab your free copy at Kathleenguireauthor.com.
Maybe you have had some sort of hidden desire for years to be a writer but you're not sure where to start. Or maybe you've let fear, imposter syndrome, your writing weaknesses, or not having a clear direction hold you back. Or maybe you're a writer and you're struggling to put pen to paper. If this is you, grab your free Roadmap For Crafting Your Authentic Story With Courage on Kathleenguireauthor.com.
Join me as I talk our way through the roadmap beginning with the desire to write!